Friction is reportedly growing in the Manchester United dressing room after a torrid start to the season continued with a thumping Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle United on Wednesday night. Some players are believed to be unconvinced by Erik ten Hag’s coaching methods, with the Dutchman under growing pressure to turn the situation around.
The Red Devils appeared to be out of ideas as Newcastle raced into a two-goal lead in the first half at Old Trafford. Joe Willock rubbed salt in the wounds and completed a 3-0 hammering after the break, adding to Miguel Almiron and Lewis Hall’s earlier strikes.
With eight defeats in their first 15 matches this term, Ten Hag has overseen United’s worst start to a season in well over half a century. The former Ajax boss can ill afford another similar result this weekend or his position may become untenable.
According to the Manchester Evening News, things are already trending in the wrong direction as ‘doubts’ circulate in the dressing room regarding whether Ten Hag is the right man for the job.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive Man Utd news.
The 53-year-old led United to third in the Premier League and an FA Cup final in 2022/23, but the downturn in performances this campaign has been striking. The Red Devils are currently eighth in the table and faltering in the Champions League, losing two of their first three Group A games.
The report adds that some in the dressing room harbour a ‘simmering resentment’ towards certain team-mates, with a lack of togetherness crystal clear based on recent displays.
United have now conceded six goals without reply, as Manchester City set the tone for Newcastle by registering a dominant 3-0 win of their own at the weekend.
The pressure is on for Ten Hag ahead of a winnable four-game stretch, starting with Fulham on Saturday. Senior figures at Old Trafford face a £15million bill to pay off the manager’s contract if they opt to part ways.
